Ministry of Community Empowerment Launches ‘Madar’ Programme to Strengthen Financial Independence for 7,500 Beneficiaries
Dubai: The Ministry of Community Empowerment has introduced the “Madar” Social Empowerment Programme, a national initiative designed to transition social welfare beneficiaries into active contributors to community development. This comprehensive platform focuses on capability development and sustainable employment opportunities.
The Madar programme aims to foster social and economic empowerment, allowing individuals to achieve financial independence, improve their quality of life, and ensure long-term family stability, moving away from reliance on social support.
Key Empowerment Tracks
Beneficiaries capable of work will be directed towards specific empowerment tracks tailored to their needs and readiness. These include:
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Professional Empowerment Track: This track prepares beneficiaries for the labour market through training, skills development, and job placement support.
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Empowerment for Emirati Families Entrepreneurs Track: This initiative supports the establishment and growth of small and home-based businesses, enhancing household economic independence.
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Financial Literacy Track: This component aims to improve financial knowledge among participants.
Noor Abulhoul, Assistant Undersecretary of the Social Welfare and Empowerment Sector, emphasized that the Madar programme embodies the UAE’s vision of investing in human potential and advancing an integrated development model that builds capabilities and expands opportunities.
Commitment to Sustainable Development
The programme reflects the Ministry’s dedication to launching and developing sustainable social protection and empowerment initiatives. By adopting innovative strategies, Madar aims to transform social support into effective development pathways that enhance individual contributions to the national economy and align with the State’s comprehensive development goals.
In collaboration with strategic partners, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council through the “Nafis” programme, Madar supports the Professional Empowerment pathway. This collaboration equips UAE citizens with the necessary skills and readiness to meet labour market demands, facilitating their transition from social support to financial stability.
Target Beneficiaries
Madar is designed to assist approximately 7,500 non-employed social welfare beneficiaries aged 21 to 54 who are capable of working. The programme focuses on skills development, training, career guidance, job matching, and access to suitable employment opportunities, promoting a culture of work, productivity, and self-reliance.
Abulhoul noted that the Professional Empowerment track excludes specific categories that do not meet labour market participation requirements. These categories include children and students under 21, custodial mothers with children under six or children of determination under 21, individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and retirees who do not meet the programme’s eligibility criteria.
Flexibility in Employment Opportunities
The track has been designed to accommodate beneficiaries’ social and family circumstances. Employment opportunities are aligned with beneficiaries’ capabilities and personal situations, fostering a supportive environment for long-term success. Factors such as workplace proximity—limited to a maximum commuting distance of 100 kilometers—are considered, along with the responsibilities of custodial mothers and caregivers for family members with disabilities.
Abulhoul affirmed that the Ministry will continue to provide social welfare benefits until a suitable employment opportunity matching the beneficiary’s qualifications becomes available. This commitment underscores the Ministry’s dedication to empowering beneficiaries to secure meaningful employment that promotes social and economic stability.
Comprehensive Empowerment Journey
Ahlam Al Ahmad, Director of the Social and Economic Empowerment Department, explained that the Professional Empowerment track initiates a comprehensive journey that begins with enrolment and activation. This initial phase prepares beneficiaries to effectively engage with the programme.
The process includes completing registration and activation requirements, signing a commitment declaration, and registering on the Nafis platform to create a professional profile. Beneficiaries will then progress through stages such as professional readiness assessment, capacity building, skills development, job matching, and ultimately achieving career stability and economic sustainability.
Al Ahmad noted that the journey is designed to meet both beneficiary needs and labour market requirements, thereby enhancing long-term professional success.
Job Stability as an Indicator of Success
Job stability is regarded as a key indicator of successful professional empowerment. Beneficiaries are nominated for positions based on the alignment of their qualifications with labour market needs and individual capabilities. The programme guarantees that the total salary offered through employment opportunities exceeds the value of the social welfare benefits received. Should the salary offered be lower, beneficiaries retain the right to decline the opportunity.
The Ministry will continue to support beneficiaries beyond employment by monitoring their progress for a full year after they enter the workforce. This ongoing follow-up ensures sustained career progression, strengthens long-term economic resilience, and fosters continued professional growth. By tracking key indicators of job retention and stability, the Ministry aims to maximize the impact of empowerment efforts and achieve sustainable developmental outcomes that benefit individuals, families, and society as a whole.
As reported by www.emirates247.com.
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Published on 2026-06-16 21:54:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk